Our Mission
We build memories by creating a one-of-a-kind lifelong keepsake that embodies your unique vision. We are your solution.
Our Philosophy
We want jewelry to be elegant, artistic and beautiful while expressing your distinctive personality. It is important to us that our designs reflect the community we live in and the people who live here.
Our Service Goal
It is Blue Heron Jewelry’s goal that every piece of jewelry we create or work on is of the highest quality. From craftsmanship to gemstones and precious metals, it is our standard to provide only the best. We are committed to delivering superior value through personal attention, creativity and responsiveness, thus meeting or exceeding every customer’s expectations.
LEO – Owner, jewelry designer, visionary
My desire to create jewelry started at an early age. As I was growing up, I could feel a certain talent developing in my hands. By high school I was experimenting with metal, creating jewelry out of copper and enamel. It wasn’t until a few years later, when I started thinking about what it was I wanted to do with life, that I became committed to teaching myself all I could about the art of jewelry making.
In 1972, I packed a van with all the tools I owned and headed west from Michigan, landing in Tucson, Arizona. I pounded out designs in silver at a local flea market, then moved to San Francisco and earned money as a street artist. Within a couple of years I had become the lead jewelry for the Bagley and Hotchkiss Co. before my wife and I chose to move to Seattle, then Poulsbo. I sold jewelry at Seattle’s Pike Place Market for 13 years, until I was finally able to open a store in Historic Downtown Poulsbo. We couldn’t be more proud to be celebrating over twenty years in this incredible community.[/pure_vc_Media with Text]
MEGAN – Business Manager
My first experience with a torch was all it took to give my life direction. I’ve been involved in jewelry from working at the bench for wholesale manufactures to retail sales. I started working for Leo in my early 20′s but moved away to explore other facets of the jewelry industry. I came back to Poulsbo to raise a family and in 2007 found a home again at Blue Heron. I am a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, I love helping people connect with a symbolic piece of jewelry for their special moments and helping the business grow.
DEB – Store Manager
I’ve always been an admirer of good design whether it is architecture, landscape, automobiles or fashion. Elegant, clean and flowing details are to me what Leo does best and what attracted me to his jewelry. Blue Heron Jewelry captured my attention a long time ago and I’m so pleased to be part of the retail division of the company. I’ve lived and worked in North Kitsap for over thirty years and love serving old friends and creating new ones. Purchasing fine jewelry is such a personal and interactive process. I know you’ll enjoy the experience as much as I do.
CATHY – Sales
My love of jewelry came from my Mother. She taught me to appreciate color, design & quality. I have built my retail career beginning in my family’s store, as a manager in department stores then in a custom design jewelry store on Washington’s coast. I met many special people there, one of whom I’ve followed up to Poulsbo where I’m happily finding a new home. I was introduced to Leo at the right time and am pleased to be part of the Blue Heron family. I love his designs and creative ways he uses colored stones to tell a story in his jewelry. In my spare time I sail, ski and garden.
Jessica – Sales/Social Media
As a Poulsbo native, I grew up downtown and was not a stranger to visiting Blue Heron Jewelry. I graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, and after I explored different employment opportunities, I moved back to Poulsbo and found a home in a new design field I never expected, but fell in love with. I have always been an artistic person and love design projects in many different mediums; jewelry has been a new path I have become fascinated with. It allows for people to wear pieces of artwork, and more than just that, they hold so much sentiment and meaning. I get to wear a lot of different hats working here, from sales, to social marketing, to graphics, to designing, I am so happy to be a part of this great team. When I am not at work, I like to cook, spend time with friends and family, take my dog on adventures or work on my own art projects.
JANE – Repair/Bench Jeweler
I started making jewelry when I was 17, after taking a jewelry class in high school. I’ve worked for various manufacturers and trade shops in the area. In 1985 I started a 5 year apprenticeship working for Leo where I honed my jewelry making skills. I got married, raised four children and built my career on the fundamentals Leo taught me. I came back to work for Blue Heron in 2007 where I’ve been responsible for repair work fabrication and stone setting. I have a great passion for jewelry making and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Jennie – Repair/Bench Jeweler/Sales
I studied metalsmithing and jewelry design at Indiana University. When I re-located to the Pacific Northwest I was stunned by the natural beauty and friendly people here and never went back. Since then, I have been working in the custom jewelry industry. I have 30+ years of experience as a goldsmith and diamond setter. I love working in the jewelry field because no day is ever the same. There is always a new challenge and skill to master. I love to travel, spend time with my family, and live life to it’s fullest.
Nanz – Wax Carver/ Designer
Although my fascination with Jewelry Design was evident at the tender age of six, my first recognized jewelry design was a silver pendant that won a “Gold Key” Scholastic Art Award in high school. I continued my training by serving an apprenticeship in Chicago and receiving a BFA in Jewelry Arts from Northern Illinois University. I completed my MFA in metal-smithing at the University of Washington in Seattle in 2004 and my M.Ed at Western Washington University in Bellingham.
During my 35 year career in the jewelry industry, I have taught jewelry and metals classes at the University of Washington and at the Art Institute in Seattle. I have served as a fine jewelry designer and consultant for Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Tiffany & Co. and as the associate editor for Art Jewelry magazine. Some of my many professional jewelry design awards include: an AGTA Spectrum Award, two concurrent Platinum Guild International Awards, two consecutive DeBeers Diamond’s Today Awards, and two finalist honors in the Saul Bell Awards.
Susan and Debie- Accounting Department
Susan and Debie, affectionately known as the “bookies”, have over 30 years of combined accounting and business management experiences working for Blue Heron Jewelry. They are often heard having lively discussions regarding the what, where, when and whys of organizing, posting, tracking and reporting “the numbers” that make up the financial aspect of the business. When not working, Susan enjoys camping, knitting, quilting, singing in a community choir and playing with her cats. Debie loves to travel, read, practice yoga (along with her cat) and garden.
Jed – Team Mascott